Getting started with herbs, essential oils, and other natural remedies can be so intimidating at first. But there’s no need to spend a small fortune and feel overwhelmed with confusion! There is an easier way.

You’re interested in herbs, essential oils, and natural remedies.

You read articles about them, surf Pinterest for new ways to use them, and even toy with the idea of building your own natural medicine chest. It all seems so fascinating and appealing!

You love the idea of using natural remedies in your home.

But…

Something is always holding you back from actually beginning. 

You might feel like they’re just too expensive for your family’s limited budget and you can’t justify the extra cost. If you have to choose between next week’s groceries and a starter kit of essential oils, you know which one wins.

Or maybe you have wiggle room in your budget to invest in some products, but you’re so confused by all the conflicting information online that you have no idea what will give you the results you need and what might actually cause harm.

Perhaps it’s both.

Perhaps the whole thing feels so huge, so complicated, and so overwhelming that you don’t even know where to begin. So you don’t. And you feel a little guilty about it from time to time.

My friend, getting started with natural remedies doesn’t have to cost you a fortune or leave you swimming in doubt and uncertainty. You can do this, and I want to help show you the way.

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When Natural Remedies Seem Too Expensive

I can clearly remember how I chose my first essential oils.

With catalog in hand, I scanned up and down the list of oils, circling the promising selections, and narrowing down the list until I had a reasonable number.

Except I wasn’t circling names of oils that would fit my family’s needs. I only looked at prices. The lower, the better, even if I didn’t know what the oil was used for!

I completely relate to the feeling that natural remedies are too expensive because that’s exactly where I was at one time. Now, after time and much more experience, I can assure you that they do not have to break the bank.

The key to keeping natural remedies affordable, especially in the beginning, is to slowly build a small, versatile natural medicine chest. You really don’t need an expansive collection of remedies, especially in the beginning!

I recommend starting your essential oil collection with up to five oils that offer a lot of benefit and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. But if funds are really tight, a single bottle of quality lavender essential oil can be as little as $10. You can use that essential oil for anything from headaches to nervousness to pimples and bug bites and so much more. And since you will likely only use a drop at a time, it will last you months.

Similarly, you only need a small, versatile collection of herbs to start enjoying the benefits of herbal remedies. Chamomile, calendula, and lemon balm are invaluable, with the added bonus of being easy to grow at home! Other beneficial plants, like plantain and dandelion, can even be foraged from your backyard if it isn’t sprayed.

I know it can feel like you need a huge collection all at once to do well with natural remedies. But you can be just as successful with a small collection that’s slowly built over time and doesn’t leave you worrying about costs.

When Natural Remedies Seem Too Confusing

With so many natural health “experts” who all seem to disagree on all sorts of topics, it can be really hard to take those first steps with herbal remedies.

How frustrating is it when you Google “ingesting essential oils” or “are herbs safe for kids” or “can I drink herbal tea while pregnant” and come up with contradicting answers?

The truth is there’s an abundance of voices speaking out about natural remedies, but not all of those voices are giving accurate information. That’s exactly why I wrote my book Essential Oils: Separating Truth from Myth.

Of course, there is an art to natural remedies. Herbalists, aromatherapists, and self-taught enthusiasts all have their preferences and comfort zones, as well as different levels of experience. Sometimes genuine experts disagree on a topic.

So if you want to avoid confusion as you get started with herbs and essential oils, limit the number of voices you follow. You don’t need to know all the different opinions on the remedy you want to use or the health need you have.

Look for people who’ve had some solid, independent education from brand-neutral sources, whether through a formal school or self-study and apprenticeship.

Invest in a couple good reference books as you’re able, too. Medical Herbalism and Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art are great choices for beginners. When you find any new information, you can compare it to what’s in these reliable texts.

Many herbalists and aromatherapists also work one-on-one with clients. This can be extremely helpful as you begin or if you get stuck in the journey! You can learn how to work with me here.

Bonus tip: some of the worst natural health information circulates on social media, even on very popular, well-known blogs and Facebook pages. (Grape juice for tummy bugs, I’m looking at you.) If you stay very skeptical about the ideas you find shared online, you’ll easily eliminate a lot of confusion.

When Natural Remedies Seem Downright Overwhelming

My friend, I understand how overwhelming it feels to realize there’s so much you want to change, learn, and try that you don’t even know where to start. If you’re an all-or-nothing person, this is even harder for you.

Even the most learned, experienced herbalist on earth is still learning. No one has arrived to a complete understanding of every natural remedy available. I never will. You never will.

Natural health is a journey. We might not all have the same understanding at the same time, but we are all learning together and learning from each other.

Natural health is a journey. We may not be in the same place, but we're all learning together.Click To Tweet

When you find the natural health expert you love and can trust, you’ve taken one confident step in your journey. Buying your first bottle of essential oil, growing your first patch of herbs, or getting your first herbal text from the library are more steps you can take.

One at a time. Little by little. Small, gradual changes and additions with all the time you need to feel confident and comfortable before moving on to the next step.

And while I love DIYing many of the herbal remedies we use at home, you don’t have to DIY a single thing if it’s more than you want to take on. So many wonderful herbalists, aromatherapists, and companies offer all the remedies you could ever want or need so you never have to lift a finger, other than to order. You can find some of my favorites here.

Most of all, ask the Lord to guide you. I believe with all my heart that He is interested in your physical health and wellness, and will direct you to the remedies and voices that are right for you.

I know you can do this, and I’m cheering you on as you take those first steps.

What’s the one thing that has made it hard for you to get started with natural remedies?